photo-heavy posting

Roxie said we would have a good time downtown, and believe me, we had so much fun it shouldn't be sheep-legal! She wanted me to see some of the fountains with which Portland is so richly endowed. We started with this little splasher in the south end of downtown. It wasn't much more than hip-high on a short cowboy, and I've gotta say, I wasn't impressed.

A few blocks furthe north, though, and we found the real deal. This is the Lovejoy Fountain, and it's got a lot going for it!

See where the water cascades down on the left side. Roxie and I climbed up there and enjoyed the view.

It was actually quite exciting to be perched up above so much falling water. And it sounded - I could have sat there for the rest of the day and just listened to all the different sounds the water was making. but we had places to go and people to meet.

Several blocks further north is the Ira Kellerman fountain, also known as the Forecourt fountain. When we got there, we found that they had just experienced a pump failure, and the water was not doing its waterfall imitations. But Roxie knew how to take complete advantage of that.

Naughty girl that she is, she knows a hidey hole behind the waterfall where she used to be able to go sneak a kiss. Without the waterfall, though, there's no hiding at all. That's me in the left corner of the bench. Click to embiggen.

On our way further north to yet another fountain, we met these three cheerful and friendly people. They are, reading left to right, Morgan, Merlin and - I really have to apologize but with those other two, the young man should have been named Arthur, and I just can't remember his real name. Sir, my profoundest apologies!

This is the Salmon Street Springs. On hot days, Roxie tells me, children frolic gleefully in the water. And a few grownups as well.

While we were getting pictures of the fountain, this young person came over and joined us. We had a bit of a romp and a giggle under the father's watchful eye, then Roxie escorted the child back to the parental unit, and we went on our way. No names were exchanged.

Next to the Pioneer Courthouse Postoffice are a series of fountains with animal sculptures. Ducks for example.

And seals. These nice bronze sculptures have very shiny heads from being stroked affectionately by passersby.

Here is a beaver that has escaped from the fountain. I wonder if the tree feels nervous with that beaver hovering so toothily close?

On the other side of the block arre more animals in fountains. This young lady is sitting on the head of a bear. She and her sister and mother are from Germany and visiting Portland for 3 months. Wow, what adventures they must be having! The girls don't speak any English, but Mom got along quite well.

This is called the Teacher's Fountain. Looks like a nice place to soak your hot, tired hooves.

We were meeting LG for lunch and were just a bit early, so we stepped into an art supply store to see what mischief we could get into. I posed with the little people.

Then, as we were leaving, we found a picture of my alter-ego, Ramses the First! Good likeness, don't you think?


Lunch with LG was so much fun that we forgot to take pictures. How do you like them apples?

In front of the Heathman Hotel, Josh agreed to pose with me.

And Roxie insisted that my fountain tour was not complete without visiting one of the "Benson's Bubblers." An early city father noticed that on a hot day, there was nowhere for a thirsty man to get a drink except in a tavern. He reasoned that he could greatly alleviate public drunkeness by providing public drinking fountains, and proceeded to do so. The handsome brass drinking fountains are now maintained by the city and continue to refresh citizens and visitors a hundred years later.

Walking back to the car, we paused again by the Lovejoy Fountain where I met Giovanna, a friendly and helpful young lady who offered to take our photo. Roxie dragooned her into posing instead. Thank you Giovanna!

And then, we found a new yarn store! They have - gird your loins - all of Lorna's Laces colorways in all the weights and even 7 colorways which are available nowhere else. Really! Roxie has been trying to purge the stash, and to save some money for the Flock and Fiber Fest in September, and there was Lorna's Laces Swirl Chunky on sale for $10 a skein, marked down from $21. Roxie went mad.

I decided to wallow in the insanity myself. Oooo. Ahhhhhh. Merino and silk. Yessssss!

Now, after my splendid walkabout in downtown Portland, it's time for me to pack my bags and travel to Tennessee.